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Wagons Mercedes-Benz R-Class Mercedes-Benz R-Class
693 messages, Last post on Jan 19, 2008 at 9:07 AM
You are in the Mercedes-Benz R-Class Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Why? Because according to Automotive News (the Industry Bible), MB is subsidizing the R to the tune of $9000 per vehicle. $9000 !! Aside from the obvious ramifications of this unbelievable subsidy, MB recently admitted that the R class has been marketed to the wrong people. MB finds it is getting a younger family MINIVAN crowd who are interested but when they see the sticker, they are off to greener pastures. MB thought that the R would appeal to an older demographic looking for more spread-out room with SUV pretensions but car style. This proved to be wrong-headed. Automotive News asked how MB could have been so far wrong on this considering how much advance marketing research was expended on the R class. In addition, sales of the R class have been all over the map since its introduction. Not a good sign. Right now, sales are up, but who would expect sales to be down when a $60,000 vehicle is really being sold withthe equivalent of $40,000 monthly payment incentives. My prediction: The R class will eventually bomb out- In fact the market for vehicles in this class has been shrinking significantly in the last couple of years. Bottom line- expect to see the sticker drop next year on the R. 
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Replying to: shellymeister2 (Apr 11, 2006 5:27 pm) |
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It is very interesting as to how the R didn't become a hit considering all the marketing and auto show hoopla that it had for nearly 3 years starting from the original Vision GST days. That said Mercedes won't drop the R, but they'll likely re-package it for 2007 with lower prices and more standard equipment and if that doesn't work they'll just have to make do. In the end it really won't matter as much as say if one of the E,C or S-Class lines were bombing upon introduction. The GL looks to be a hit and the M already is and there are signs that the R is becoming popular in Europe. MBUSI will just adjust production from the U.S. to other markets and then the GL will take up some more capacity. Not a dire situation, but a significant blow to Mercedes' SUV/Crossover effort for sure. M
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Replying to: merc1 (Apr 11, 2006 8:23 pm) It's been downhill ever since for me and alot of it has to do with what I thought was coming and eventually what arrived. I was looking for this beautiful, almost private jet-like interior with a seemless,flowing and unobstructed panoramic roof and all the goodies that go with it, so much so that it could never be compared to a MINIVAN and when I put down the big cash for this vehicle I would truly be in a situation wherein I knew I purchased another vehicle that truly EXCITED me. The excitement never happened and the minivan/crossover/pacifica comparisons just killed it for me. There isn't anyone I know(besides you folk here) that would look at a new R in my driveway and not make the minivan comparison. It is nothing special in the eyes of the consumer. The funny thing is I would have paid the premium for what I thought the R was going to be. I will not pay the going rate for what the R eventually came to be and I feel duped by Mercedes for getting me all excited about something that has yet to be delivered, in my opinion. It really is sad. I know for those of you who have purchased one it seems to work for you and that is fantastic. I just wish it was that dreamy, sexy, and ultra-comfortable cruiser Mercedes promised me. At this pont the price needs to be in the Toyota Sienna XLE Limited price range of $42,000 loaded with absolutely every option available from NAVI to the full entertainment package. In my mind that is the only way this thing will sell WELL. True story(as much as I think I can make stuff up like this, I really can't...)- The woman who cuts my hair got a new Pacifica this past week and when I was in her shop yesterday she pointed out the window at it and said "that is the closest I will come to owning a Mercedes". I said what do you mean? She said "well, it's built on a Mercedes chassis". I didn't know what to say other than "That's nice".... 
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Replying to: chirp (Apr 12, 2006 10:09 am) M
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Replying to: merc1 (Apr 13, 2006 2:54 am) "In this market people expect Mercedes-Benz to be luxurious, sporty and just about anything that the R class isn't," Turner says. "It's too expensive for the styling statement that is has." Funny thing is most MB owners will pay more for a high-grade product and I was willing to pay considerably more for a unique and high-grade product. Unfortunately, lowering the price is not a fix for me at all and I equate this to like buying something at OVERSTOCK.COM. Thanks for that article link merc1!
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Replying to: chirp (Apr 13, 2006 5:35 am) I don't necessarily agree with Turner (or you Chirp) that the R is not luxurious. Maybe not CLS or S class standards, but it certainly is in line with many other MB products. I do agree that it is not sporty, per se, but what vehicles of this ilk are? Certainly not SUV's (Cayenne, SRX and possibly X3/5 excepted.) For a people hauler -- and I have no pretensions that it is other than that -- it certainly is the best drive and ride I have experienced. I guess I am the correct demographic for the R: two young kids and the need for hauling flexibility. And when the pricing came into line, I was and remain, happy with the value. Bottom line is that while I think MB could have done much better with the R in terms of content/pricing and marketing, I still think it is an exceptional vehicle. Sorry, Chirp, but my friends' Siennas just don't match it on the drive/ride side. Of course, that's just my opinion, and for many the price difference between the two is so significant that the differences are moot.
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Replying to: albell (Apr 13, 2006 6:06 am) I think the ride is MUCH better than anything else with a similar configuration. The people that have driven/ moved it in the driveway, whatever, have all been extremely impressed. I have been around MB for 8 years now so I am numbed to interior levels somewhat. Others have said that it has a beautiful interior and is roomy and comfortable (the wife loves it so I am 1 to the good). Just look at a 98 ML compared to an 06 to see how far it has evolved. I have a CLK350 and feel it is the bottom of the line, but I received a very positive complement on the looks yesterday. I certainly fit the demographic, two kids, extra car pool riders, traded a MB wagon, drive to the lake/beach,etc. I am still in love. MB has soooooo many models, and with multiple levels of engine choice, it is hard to think that MB is thinking they can corner the market with any one car. In fact, I believe it is just the opposite (something for everyone). That is why the sales comparisons are of little interest to me. Example: Others have how many sedan choices? MB has 15 4 door models. I know what goes into the production of an MB. I have removed rear seats to compare how they are made. Did you know that BMW does not clear coat their trunk jambs for example. Remove the rear seat and flip it over on similar models of different makes. All these items are seldom brought into consideration but add to value. Services are not covered by MB, but 65% of every MB ever produced is still on the road at last check. So, where do we go from here???
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Replying to: benzster (Apr 13, 2006 8:23 am) Just enjoy the ride, baby! And the kibbitzing. 
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Replying to: chirp (Apr 13, 2006 5:35 am) This is true because Mercedes has never had a problem with selling cars at high prices when the car was worth it. The new S is a good example of that. It costs more than the W220 did when it came out and is selling better than it did and back then it was both the S430 and S500 doing the selling. If Mercedes had just kept this R closer to the original concept in styling and interior design they wouldn't be able to produce enough of them. Ok the fancy doors and wheels would have to go in order to get to production, but that interior was stunning as was the first concept, the Vision GST. Seems they lost "sight" of that. That said I've seen a few loaded R500s in that Alpine Rain color with the AMG package and they look good to me. Its the base models with the little wheels that don't looks so hot, IMO. I still the R can be fixed, but it may have to soldier on until facelift time for a real fix concerning the interior, but the price/equipment problem can be fixed for 2007 if MB gets serious about making this thing sell without so much "help". M
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